Razaq Bamidele
An all women Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Standup for Women Society (SWS), The National President of Standup for women society (SWS), has appreciated and commended Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State for signing to law the state Curtailment of Women’s Right to Share in family Property, Law No.2 of 2022.
President and Convener of the NGO, Barr. Deborah Abosede Ijadele-Adetona, in a statement, the National Public Relations Officer, Lib. Billie Nwogu reasoned that, “this singular act has also restored hope in parents who have Girl-child,” saying, “after their parents grow old and die, the girl-child will not suffer.”
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The statement said, Governor Wike’s decision will remove the stigma that “A woman does not have a say or stay around when issues of land are being discussed,” which was described as a taboo by some communities.
A woman according to their culture is expected to sit docile in a corner when issues that border on land matters are being discussed and is only expected to ask questions for clarification on boundaries as the only right bequeathed to her and all she has right to do, is to usually cultivate the land and nothing else.
According to Ijadele-Adetona, Governor Wike has done well and the act has stood him out among governors who have not deemed it fit for women to also have a say in owning any property that belongs to their parents or husband.
The woman lawyer used the medium to call on all leaders at all levels especially in the Eastern part of Nigeria to emulate what Governor Wike has done, quoting him as saying Wike, “I don’t know why it is a taboo; because one is female, you’re not entitled to inherit what belongs to your father. It is not you who decides whether you will have a girl or you will have a boy, it is God.
“So, put yourself in their shoes today whereby the mercy of God, you have three children and they are all girls and you struggle in life to see what you can keep for your children. Tomorrow, one of your uncles comes and say, my friend, girls don’t inherit their father’s property.
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“With all your efforts in life, somebody comes to discriminate against them, why? We have even found out that women are more useful to us than even men. The day, you are getting old and dying you’ll know that you need more daughters than men. They will leave their husbands’ houses and come to take care of you.”
As a Lawyer, the President continued, “I have witnessed many women suffer this setback because there is no law that allows them to fight for their rights and we hereby commend Governor Wike for taking the lead.
“So, I want men in Rivers state to be happy and support this move by the Governor by allowing this decision to work.”
She also urged men to see it not as a way of lording women over them but as a solution to protect the future of girl-child now and those yet unborn, urging other governors who have bills that have a direct impact on women’s future sign them to law for a better tomorrow.
In conclusion, the organisation promised to continue to support, recognize and join the struggle for liberation for all women in Nigeria irrespective of creed, religion, political leaning, social status or places of their birth.